Starbucks sign hanging from a ceiling.
The city of Two Rivers is abuzz with excitement as plans for a Starbucks franchise unfold. Set to be located at 1509 Washington St., the former site of Schwarz's Pub and Grill, this Seattle-based coffee shop promises to become a local favorite. City manager Greg Buckley shared this exciting news and more in an interview with Streetwise.
A Perfect Addition to Two Rivers
According to Buckley, the current building will be torn down to make way for the construction of Starbucks. To ensure smooth traffic flow, a drive-thru will be available, with entrance and exit points on 15th Street. Work on the establishment is slated to begin in spring, with the store scheduled to open its doors by late 2024.
"We have great independent coffee shops and restaurants," Buckley remarked. "I think Starbucks will be a great complement to them. Frankly, we wouldn't mind a few more of these franchise-type places with all of the people we see coming to the city; the traffic at the beach and ball tournaments. They fit in well with the growing tourism Two Rivers is seeing."
The exterior of the former Uni-Mart as seen, Friday, February 18, 2022, in Two Rivers, Wis.
Exciting Developments in Two Rivers
In addition to Starbucks, there are other exciting developments coming to Two Rivers in 2024. One of them is the redevelopment of the former Uni-Mart gas station at 2023 Washington St. The project, spearheaded by Cool City Brewing owners, faced structural challenges. To overcome them, Wine Not LLC, the development company, plans to demolish the old structure and start fresh.
The revitalization of the Uni-Mart site includes the addition of new retail and food vendors. In 2022, several retailers were lined up, including Explore Two Rivers Rentals, offering a variety of silent sports items for rent, Briars and Brambles Gift Shop, and Buckets Gelato Bar, serving seasonal flavors and gelato flights.
Housing growth is also a priority for the city of Two Rivers. Construction of the West City Lofts near the West Twin River is already underway. With affordable rents, these one- to three-bedroom apartments are expected to be available for rent by the end of the year. Another housing project worth $17 million is in the works near the East Twin River. The former Eggers' West Plant will be transformed into a 71-unit apartment complex, catering to the market-rate segment.
Sandy Bay Highlands conservation subdivision.
Furthermore, the Sandy Bay Highlands conservation subdivision will see the addition of approximately six or seven new homes this year. The city owns around 17 acres of land for future development, with plans to build around 38 more lots in the area. Phase 3 of the project, recently authorized by the City Council, will eventually bring forth an additional 14 homes.
Looking beyond residential development, the Two Rivers Woodland Industrial Park is set to welcome Athens Development LLC. With the approval of a cash grant of up to $450,000 from the city's tax-incremental financing districts, Braun Building Center's former Truss division will relocate from Manitowoc to a new 28,000-square-foot warehouse in the industrial park.
With these exciting developments in the pipeline, Two Rivers is poised for growth and prosperity. Stay tuned for more updates as the city continues to evolve and attract businesses, residents, and visitors alike.
